Thomas Messenger: ‘The Army brought out the best in me’

By Lauren Jones, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Tom Messenger’s story is one of service and selective adventure. From his time as a Flight Engineer in Vietnam to serving a U.S. President and becoming an author, Tom’s journey is a testament to his resilience and spirit.

Faced with the inevitability of the draft, Tom decided to take control of his destiny. Standing tall at 6’5″, he saw an opportunity to use his height to his advantage. He walked into a recruiting office, signed up, and added an extra year to his commitment. “It worked out pretty well,” he says. Tom wanted to fly on Chinook helicopters since they accommodated his height, and he was successful. 

Tom served in the Army from January 1970 to December 1972, including one year in Vietnam. He completed his basic training at Fort Campbell, KY, and underwent further training at Fort Eustis, VA, to become a Flight Engineer for the CH-47 Chinook.   

In Vietnam, Tom was stationed in Pleiku with the 179th AVN Co, Camp Halloway. His service included assignments with the 101st Airborne in Operation Dewey Canyon and Lamson 719 with ARVA. His unit’s missions were varied from the invasion of Laos and Cambodia to conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols to move and rescue ambush troops. They also handled crucial tasks, such as resupplying U.S. troops, moving civilians and even livestock. 

Among the most memorable and meaningful experiences for Tom was his involvement in moving the Montagnards, the farmers of South Vietnam. He developed a deep respect for these people, noting, “They loved Americans because we helped them out”. His unit’s mission was to move them, along with their cattle, chickens, and crops, to areas where they could be protected by Special Forces, away from the threats posed by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. Tom described the Montagnards’ way of life as “almost like going back into times where it was very poor, rural, not many clothes,” and recounted how they used simple weapons like crossbows, bows and arrows, spears, and blow guns. The Americans provided them with M16s and other modern weaponry, and they became valuable allies.   

Tom recalls one particular mission with great clarity: “One of the best I was ever on. We came in with two or three helicopters and started loading people up. The enemy showed up, but we fought our way out of there. They started plowing the fields for the crops at the new place. I’m probably the only one who thinks that was cool, but my heart was in it. These people really deserved the help we were giving them. We gave the kids chocolate bars. The men chocolate bars. If we had it, we gave it to them. We came through for them.”

Tom’s time in Vietnam also presented him with an unexpected opportunity. One day, during a helicopter flight, an argument between the two pilots led to the senior pilot kicking the other one out of the cockpit. Tom was then invited to sit in the right seat, and the senior pilot, who was an instructor pilot, allowed him to take control of the aircraft. “I thought this was so cool! The rule was, you had to have two people in the cockpit. He was an instructor pilot and was telling me what to do. ‘Want to go right? Want to go left?’ I’m with the ship all the time, so I don’t get to fly it. But I did that day!”   

Tom’s service in Vietnam exposed him to the harsh realities of war. He served in several major offensives, including Operation Dewey Canyon, which he vividly remembers as “really bloody,” with many wounded soldiers. In these harrowing situations, Tom’s role extended beyond his duties as a flight engineer. “We didn’t even put them on stretchers because they were on the ground too long. I had to learn how to put powder on wounds to stop the bleeding,” he explained. He also discovered the power of human connection in the face of suffering. “But I also learned that if I talked to them, they might forget about their pain. So, I would ask, ‘Where are you from? Got a girlfriend?’ They usually had a picture in their pocket. So, I would keep them talking while we’re flying at 165 miles per hour to get help.” As they approached their destination, he would offer words of encouragement: “Guess what buddy? We’re on final approach, and we’re gonna have doctors and nurses looking at you soon”. For his service, SP/5 Tom was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Ribbon, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.   

After his time in Vietnam, Tom’s military service took an unexpected turn. He received top-secret clearance and was assigned to serve at former President Richard Nixon’s home in Key Biscayne, FL. His duties involved transporting luggage for Nixon and his family, as well as the Secret Service. During this unique assignment, he had the opportunity to meet Vice President Spiro Agnew and members of the Nixon family, including former First Lady Pat Nixon (whom he described as very nice) and daughters Julie and Tricia. While he recalls this role as “great,” it consumed all of his weekends, so he moved on after six months. Still stationed at Fort Benning, he was asked to recertify. Tom saw an opportunity and countered, saying he would only do so if they sent him to flight school. Ultimately, they gave him $10k and made him an E6, and he went home. “I tried to play let’s make a deal and it didn’t work,” he laughs.   

Tom met his first wife after returning from Vietnam while at Fort Benning, Georgia. They had three children. Later in life, he met his current wife, Barbara Ann. “I married a Chicago girl!” he says. They met at The Tall Club (she’s 5’ 11”) and connected at a dance. They have been married for 23 years. “I went to a dance, lookin’ for romance, saw Barbara Ann, so I thought I’d take a chance!” [Interviewer note: I can only hope his wife was smiling while he sang that part during our phone call]

In 2014, Tom added another chapter to his life by becoming an author. He published a book about his experiences in Vietnam, titled Looking for Flyboys: One G.I.’s Journey: Vietnam. The impetus for this came from his wife and sister-in-law, who encouraged him to write, and from a psychologist at the Vet Center. “I had something to say,” Tom explains. The psychologist suggested that he write stories about his life in Vietnam, not just war stories. He began writing, and the papers accumulated. “So, I started writing and I kept writing and writing. She kept stacking the papers.” Eventually, the psychologist told him, “You got a book here!” Tom found a military publisher, and his niece at Western Michigan provided valuable editing assistance. After sending a couple of chapters to the publisher, they requested the entire manuscript. “And they ended up publishing it!” Tom exclaims with pride.   

Tom’s journey is about to include a trip with Honor Flight Chicago. He learned about the program from a neighbor. After applying, he faced two delays due to knee operations. Now, he says with a laugh, “This is the third time, and I’m going!” He is particularly looking forward to the camaraderie with fellow veterans, visiting the National Mall, and seeing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. He has been to Washington, D.C., for a few reunions and is eager to return.   

Thank you, Tom, for your dedication and service. We hope you enjoy your day!